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Arable Area Payments
Lord Dixon-Smith asked Her Majesty's Government:
- What proportion of arable area aid payments were made within the 31st December deadline.
Lord Lucas: I am pleased to say that arable area payments were sent out to 99 per cent. of claimants in England by 31st December, covering around 98 per cent. of payments by value. This successful result bears testimony both to the prompt and accurate return of claims by farmers and to the efforts made by the Ministry's staff to process payments as required by EU rules.
Marine Safety Agency Fees
The Earl of Northesk asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether the Marine Safety Agency fees are to be increased.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen): Some of the Marine Safety Agency's fees will change on
1st February 1997. The most significant change is an increase in the hourly rate for merchant ship and fishing vessel surveys from £45 to £60. This increase is required to comply with our aim of full cost recovery for services provided by the Government. We believe the new fee is still competitive when compared with private sector rates for similar work, and this is the first significant increase for some years.Air Traffic Control Services: Location
Lord Lucas of Chilworth asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Whether they accept the Civil Aviation Authority's recommendations on the future provision of air traffic control services, following the review of its two-centre strategy.
Viscount Goschen: The Civil Aviation Authority reported to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport shortly before Christmas that its review had validated the strategy of providing air traffic control services through two centres based respectively at Fareham in Hampshire and Prestwick in Scotland. The Government are minded to accept this recommendation but would wish the airlines and other interested parties to be consulted before a final decision is taken. My right honourable friend has asked the Chairman of the CAA to initiate this consultation and hopes that it will be possible to announce the outcome in March.
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